Safety sleeve



July 4, 1944' F. o. c. BROWN 2,352,614

SAFETY SLEEVE Filed sepb. 17, 1942 I INVENTOR. FRED o. c. BROWN ATTORNEY Patented July 4, 1944 2,352,614 SSAFETYgSLEEVE V Fred o. CiB'rown, Grand Rapids, Mich. W V ApplicationSepte nber fl, 1942 Serial No. 458,71aa I 2 Claims. 5 91. 2-269) My invention relates generally to any garment having sleeves, for either male or fernalewear,v

and more particularly to mens shirts, the invention pertaining to the manner and .means;

for holding back the sleeves thereof In the case of the ordinary shirt the sleeves,

when folded back once-at the cuff, do not satisfactorily remain in position, but keep flopping around in the way. Even when folded back a second time the sleeves are prone to act likewise. The third and fourth folds usually create a stable condition but there still remains the objection that it will sag with the movement of the wearers arm without something to hold it, and it is apt to unfold from strenuous action, eventually dropping to its full length, thus creating a hazard especially if the wearer works around machinery.

This latter action is almost inevitable with work shirts, usually not stiffened in laundering, and the wearers time is frequently taken in replacing it. When soft shirts are worn, as at work, sport, etc, more often the sleeves are folded or rolled to above the elbow, and. with nothing to hold them in that position they gradually sag upon the elbow forming a rolled portion which hinders the use of the arm. And, also, discomfort of the wearer occurs. If the sleeve is ample in size the rolled portion may gradually drop and work itself to below the elbow towards the hand and obviously this is objectionable.

One of the main features of my invention lies in the fact that the sleeve is folded either inwardly or outwardly, and that the same is held in its folded position regardless of whether or not it is folded back once, twice, three or four times, as desired.

Another feature of my invention is its simplicity. The cost of incorporating it into a shirt as present manufactured is very small and yet the results secured are desirable and well worth while both from a utilitarian standpoint and a mental s andpoint. That is, the user is not only more efficiently dressed but he feels better as the shirt sleeves more closely follow the movements of his body.

The positions of the buttonholes in the sleeves varies with sleeves of different length, and in short sleeves of some garments four buttonholes, engaging three folds, will be ample.

Other features and advantages will come to light as the specification proceeds.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a view taken of the outside of a sleeve equipped with my-invention, this view showing my several buttonholes in their novel associated relationship.

Fig. 2 is a front view of my invention :as it 11: wouldv look when installed into the usual type of shirt, the sleeves being folded'upwardly toaposition. above the elbows of the wearer, One= sleeve is folded inwardly, the other sleeve is folded outwardly.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view showing the cuff turned inwardly and upwardly one turn.

Fig. 4 is likewise a fragmentary view with the sleeve rolled or turned upwardly another turn.

Fig. 5 is still another fragmentary view showing the sleeve of Fig. 4 turned upwardly another turn.

Fig. 6 is an insideview of a sleeve having a modified form of my invention incorporated therein.

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 6 but having the cuff of the sleeve turned back once inwardly.

Fig. 8 is a view of a button or holding means which may be used with my invention.

, Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views.

Referring to Fig. 1, numerals l0, ll, I2, I3 and i4 indicate a series of buttonholes. The lowermost buttonhole I0 is positioned about medially between the ends of the cuff and a little closer to its upper edge than to the lower edge thereof.

The next buttonhole H is located upwardly in the sleeve proper a distance substantially equal to one half the width of the cuff. Thus, when the cuff is folded back the buttonholes ill and I I come into exact alinement and a button may be passed therethrough, holding the cuff in such position and shortening the sleeve to that extent, as shown in Fig. 3.

The next buttonhole i2 is positioned upwardly in the sleeve a slightly greater distance than between ID and H, in order to compensate for the increased width of the second fold. In like manner the next buttonhole I3 is a little further distant and M more so, to bring the last fold to above the elbow. The distances between the buttonholes will vary in sleeves of-different lengths.

When the cuff is turned or folded twice it appears as shown in Fig. 4; folded three times, as

in Fig. 5; folded four times, inwardly, as at the right hand side of Fig. 2; and folded four times, outwardly, as at the left hand side of Fig. 2.

' One holding means or button as may be used with my invention is shown in Fig. 8. This button is of simple construction and hence of low cost, having a single stem 2| with a disc 22 at one end and a second disc 23 at the other end. These discs may be of identical construction and are rigidly attached onto the stem 2|.

The discs 22 and 23 are of the proper diameter to slip through any of the buttonholes, or any two or more of the alined buttonholes, as set forth in this specification. In other words, the discs 22 and 23 act as buttons in conjunction with the buttonholes.

Referringnow to Figs. 6 and .7, 30 indicates a button, medially positioned as shown, and a buttonhole 3| thereabove. The sleeve cuff may be folded back to the position shown in Fig. 7, I

whereupon the button is buttoned into the buttonhole and thus the sleeve is held in its folded position.

It is thought that from the foregoing descrip tion that the advantages and novel features of the invention will be readily apparent.

It is to be understood that changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of the several parts, provided that such changes on one side of the slit and a button or the like on the other side, the combination of a plurality of buttonholes formed in the sleeve, said buttonholes being longitudinally alined one above the other in substantially equal spacing, the sleeve being foldable upon itself along circumferential lines substantially midway of adjacent buttonholes, and when so folded having the buttonholes in superimposed alignment, and fastening means passing thru said superimposed buttonholes for securing said sleeve in folded condition.

2. In a garment having a sleeve with a cuff having the usual slit therein extending upwardly from the bottom edge thereof, there being the usual buttonhole on one side of the slit and a buttonnor the like on the other side, the combination of a buttonhole formed in the sleeve, said buttonhole being located upwardly along the sleeve, a second button located on the inside of the cuff, on the opposite side of the cufi from the said slit, the sleeve being folded or foldable upon itself along the upper edge of the cuff, and when so folded having the buttonhole in superimposed alignment with the second button whereby the entry of said button into the said buttonhole secures said sleeve in folded condition.

FRED O. C. BROWN. 

